Want new government to re-investigate Jiah’s death: Rabiya Khan

Jiah Khan

The mother of Bollywood actor Jiah Khan, found dead in her Mumbai home in June last year, has called on the new Indian government to re-investigate her daughter's death alleging that the actor had been murdered.

London-based Rabiya Khan has maintained that her daughter was a victim of a cold-blooded murder rather than suicide and has also written to UK Foreign Secretary William Hague to intervene.

"From day one I am restless because I know my daughter has been murdered. It's too early for the new (Indian) government as they are just settling in but I am sure they are not ignoring it.

"I am asking for re-investigation, whether it is CBI, FBI or SIT, but the whole case has to be re-investigated," she said on the sidelines of a memorial service at the Chelsea Town Hall in London on Tuesday to mark the one-year anniversary of Jiah's death.

"I know it is taking time but justice takes time. But we will be there. Today my daughter has been murdered and just because these are politically influential people, they have sabotaged the investigation. I don't want that any other daughters out there face this kind of sabotage. Jiah Khan deserves justice as well as every girl who has suffered violence," she added.

Jiah's memorial was attended by her friends and family and included speeches by her younger sisters Karishma and Kavita, Sufi prayers and musical tributes.

The 25-year-old, who went to More House School near the memorial venue, was also remembered as part of a special Life of Nafisa video.

Born Nafisa Rizvi Khan, she took the name Jiah to act in films like Nishabd and Ghajini and was believed to have hung herself from a ceiling fan at her Mumbai home.